Today, the New Hampshire House failed to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that was supported by House Speaker Bill O’Brien, Senate President Peter Bragdon and Gov. John Lynch.
The action began in the House Republican caucus this morning, moved to the Senate — where the amendment was approved — and then returned to the House. After a series of impassioned speeches, the House voted. Then the House voted to reconsider. Then the House voted again.
You can follow all the action here via the real-time comments from lawmakers and reporters in the State House.
[View the story “N.H. Legislature Fails to Pass Educational Funding Amendment” on Storify ]N.H. Legislature Fails to Pass Educational Funding Amendment
Storified by William Tucker ยท Wed, Jun 06 2012 13:53:17
We begin in the House Republican caucus, where a series of speakers voice approval for passage of the educational funding amendment.
At #NHHouse Republican Caucus. @Ovide2012 now speaking in favor of CACR12. CACR6 looks to be an easy pass, CACR 12 too close to call. #NHRep. Jon Richardson
Wayne McDonald Chairman of the #NH Republican Party now also speaking in favor of CACR12. #everyone&theremotherspeaking #kitchensinkupnextRep. Jon Richardson
‘ll be honest, not sure if any of the speakers matter. I have yet to find a single Rep who hasn’t made up his/her mind about CACR12 #NHHouseRep. Jon Richardson
@NHSpeaker now speaking to the Republican Caucus, also in favor of CACR 12. #NHHouse. Nothing from new Majority Leader Rep. Pete Silva yet.Rep. Jon Richardson
#NHHouse Rep. Will Smith (R- New Castle, Rye) and Rep. Al Baldasaro (R-Londonderry) also now speaking in favor of CACR12. #NHRep. Jon Richardson
New Majority Leader Rep. Pete Silva now speaks in favor of CACR 12. About 90 seconds. Session starting soon.Rep. Jon Richardson
CACR 12 vote is VERY close at #NHHouse today. Both sides, numerous Reps repeating that to me. Just a couple votes to make or break it.Rep. Jon Richardson
The action now moves to the Senate where 14 votes are needed to approve the amendment.
Senate is in session. Listening to Senate chaplain. Chaplain calls session “dramatic” and “tumultuous.”Dan Gorenstein
First up for #nhsenate: CACR12, public education funding constitutional amendment. Sen. Bradley speaking first. http://pic.twitter.com/qDPepdhQBen Leubsdorf
NH Sen. Maj. Leader. Jeb Bradley: “This is as profound debate as we have ever had here in NH.” #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
NH Sen. Bradley says ed amendment “allows and forces us” and not courts to make tough choices on ed aid and standards. #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
NH Sen. Bradley says education amendment, at its core, allows the state to target aid to neediest school districts. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Sen. Jack Barnes calls education funding 1 of 2 most important votes of session. Sen. Bradley agrees. “It’s one of my most important votes.”Annmarie Timmins
Sen. Kelly on ed funding: We already have targeted aid + this sets no minimum on what state would have to spend on education. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
NH Sen. Molly Kelly, D-Keene: The amendment sets a “risky and potentially chilling precedent” #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
Sen. Larsen: Ed funding bill would allow state to drop spending on schools + force communities to raise local property taxes. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Senate press officer just comes by, tells reporters “magic number” to pass #cacr12 is 14. That’s b/c Sen. Sanborn has stepped down.Dan Gorenstein
Sen. Forsythe doesn’t like the ed funding amendment but says it’s the only option given today’s “political reality.” #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Sen. Forsythe: Education is not a right. It’s an entitlement. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
#cacr12 clears senate on 17-6 vote. D’Allesandro lone dem to support. #nhpoliticsJosh Rogers
#NHSenate passes CACR 12 on vote of 17-6. Sens Houde, Kelly, Carsen, Larsen, Rausche, and Merrill voted against.The Lobby NH
Having been approved by the Senate, the educational funding amendment now moves to the House, where 237 votes are required for passage, If the House passes the proposed constitutional amendment, it will appear on the ballot in November.
Now up:CACR 12.#nhhouseJennifer Daler
Taking up CACR12 now. Have 366 peeps in their seats. Rep Itse (R) arguing this is most important vote we’ll ever make #nhhouse #NHPoliticsNH State Rep Serlin
#nhhouse rep itse on cacr12: Don’t follow on this issue - lead. Yesterday he was on fence. Today he’s has a green hanky in his pocket.Josh Rogers
Lots of predictions from GOP reps hanging by the press riser that #cacr12 fails by around 20 votes. We’ll see. #nhpoliticsJosh Rogers
Rep. Coffey, R-Andover, speaks in favor of CACR12, says constituents asked her to put question to voters so they can make informed decisionMatthew Spolar
#nhhouse Rep Manuse on #cacr12: will enshrine Claremont, “raise the white flag,” and “put socialism in our constitution.” #nhpoliticsJosh Rogers
#nhgop Rep Manuse invokes Washington crossing Delaware in oppo to CACR12. Rep Balboni invokes Ike / D-Day. We’re discussing education right?NH State Rep Serlin
#NHHouse Rep. Vaillancourt agst CACR12, says “he could debate himself about bill & he’s not sure who would win” Is anyone surprised by this?Rep. Jon Richardson
Rep Vaillancourt speaking against #cacr12 Ed funding. “this will muddy the waters more” pic attached #nhhouse http://pic.twitter.com/ka3DQBsiNH Rep Jenna Roberts
Ed funding debate continues with Rep. Vaillancourt . Entire press corp mentally daring Speaker OBrien to interrupt him. #NHpolitcs @WMUR9Josh McElveen (WMUR)
Rep. Soltani- I can’t understand ed funding amendment, “and it’s not because I went to public schools.” #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Rep. Tony Soltani, R-Epsom says ed aid amendment could lead to expansion, “Claremont on crack” #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
Many people heard moaning as #nhhouse Rep Baldasaro walks to the podium to speak on #CACR12 http://post.ly/7erlsNH Rep Jenna Roberts
NH Rep. Gary Richardson, D-Hopkinton: You don’t make a good amendment out of two bad ideas.” #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
At the helm. Speaker O’Brien overseeing debate on education funding. #nhpolitics http://pic.twitter.com/ev4fXxxOAnnmarie Timmins
Roll call vote coming in #NHHouse on CACR 12, education funding constitutional amendment. Rep. Hess the final speaker, lauding bill nowThe Lobby NH
#NHHouse about to vote on education funding constitutional amendment. Need 237 votes. Passed #NHSenate 17-6. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Rep. Hess, longtime ed funding vet, cites lyrics from Evita that called politics “the art of the possible,” urges passage even if imperfectMatthew Spolar
Not done. Rep. D Hess is onto George Washington and Ben Franklin. That’s good company Chuck Douglas and Marty Gross. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
What are the odds of a republican lunch caucus if this comes up just short? 99.99999999% or 100%Brendon S. Browne
#NHHouse Rep Hess in a speech going long, says “Thirdly”… #NHHouse moans… Rep. Hess changes it to “Lastly”… #NHHouse claps approvalRep. Jon Richardson
Debate over, NH House prepares to vote on ed funding. #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
OK, finally readying for a vote here. @nhrepseth speaking against, says CACR12 “will lead to zombies—excuse me, an income tax”Matthew Spolar
Close but no cigar. #NHHouse fails to pass ed funding constitutional amendment. Needed 237 votes. Got 224-144. #nhpoliticsAnnmarie Timmins
Drum roll….CACR12 needs 237. Vote is 224-144. Fails. I smell #GOP caucus / whipping. Mirsky moves reconsideration. Whipping from the well.NH State Rep Serlin
Unbelievable—#nhhouse Speaker O’Brein calls 10 minute recessNH Rep Jenna Roberts
O’Brien calls for recess after Rep. Mirski moves reconsideration to officially kill CACR12. Can @nhspeaker flip 13 votes in 10 min?Matthew Spolar
Picture of #NHHouse leaders looking over the roll call vote to try to figure out if there’s 13 votes they can flip…. http://pic.twitter.com/V2SkkvASRep. Jon Richardson
Back in session. Vote on reconsideration.#nhhouseJennifer Daler
Here we go again; NH reconsiders ed aid amendment, 208-143; only need majority to reconsider, 3/5ths to pass it. #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
Mirski quoting unnamed justices, claiming Claremont is about income tax.#nhhoiseJennifer Daler
Mirski saying another justice too old.#nhhouseJennifer Daler
Mirski claims NH Supreme Court unethical. Says it abuses the legislature.#nhhouseJennifer Daler
#nhhouse rep Mirski telling house “unimpeachable” sources told him that maj of Claremont justices plotted to impose income tax. #nhpoliticsJosh Rogers
Ingbretson appears to want to keep NH Supreme Court from interpreting state constitution. Um, that’s their job.#nhhouseJennifer Daler
O’Brien criticizes G Richardson for “impugning motives”. Allowed Mirski to make unsubstantiated accusations of justices’ motivesJennifer Daler
#nhhouse taking up 2nd vote on CACR12 now. How much will Mirski’s plea to anti-court / conspiracy theory emotions matter? #NHPoliticsNH State Rep Serlin
The second try doesn’t change the outcome: CACR12 fails to gain three-fifths majority on 224-141 vote.Matthew Spolar
#cacr12 defeated. History passes by. This vote on ed funding could mean the end of the tax cap in the Senate. #nhSenateDan Gorenstein
This is a moment that could come to define Speaker O’Brien’s legacy. #cacr12Dan Gorenstein
Unofficial party breakdown in NH House vote on ed amdmt; GOP-223-50 for; Dems-94-1 against. #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
NH House Speaker Bill O’Brien blames Gov. Lynch for ed amendment loss; says gov failed to deliver enuf House Dems for it. #KlandriganKevin Landrigan
Projected Democratic seats: 190
